Lift truck



Jan- 1, 1935- R. J. BURROWS ET AL LIFT TRUCK Original Filed May 25, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ITLII QTdBR ifozerf fiarmw 212-2010 fizz/m8 m i Q I I l I umuluu a? J n- 1, 1935- R .1. BURROWS AL LIFT TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 25, 1931 k v Inxfen ors. 0,507? fi Ajfi d Q QMZZzams 4M; dim 6W a n. \N a mam;

I Jan. 1, 1935.

R. J. BURROWS ET AL LIFT TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 25, 1931 orhgys.

Jan; 1, 1935. R1 BURROWS AL 1,986,135

' LIFT TRUCK Original Filed May 25, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Witness Patented Jan. 1, 1935 res- ,135-

LIFT TRUCK Robert; J. Burrows and Alfred O-., Wi ll ia1ns,

Battlev Creek, Mich.,

assignors to. Clark Tructractor Company, Battle. 3 Greek, 1 nch .a.

corporation of Michigan Original application':May.r25,9.1931,..'SeriaIE NM 539,700. Divided and this 1932, Serial; No. 610;080

application-May 9;.u U m This invention relates :to li'ft trucks, and more particularly to aframe structure for a lift truck of the type driven by aninternal combustion engine.

filed May 2 5, 1931 We disclose a lift truck ivenby a unidirectional internal combustion .igine which is mounted over the driving wheels of the vehicle and connected thereto by con- The truck is mounted upon. four wheels 'all' of which are made dirig'ible' to facilitate steering; A load carrying platform is mounted upon the truck and adapted tobe lowered to permit it to be slippedunder a merchandise pier and'to be raised into transport position to thereby elevate the pier and merchandise contained upon it off of the floor in order that it may be conveyed aboutthe premises by the-truck.

Our present invention, which is a division of the above mentioned copendirig application,

relates to the frame or chassis structure of the truck disclosed in this prior application:

In the design of a truck of this type it'is necessary that the frame structure be exceed ingly strong in order that it'may resist the shocks placed upon it in service when the truck is carrying the heavy loads-that it is designed to handle. Although the frame must be exceedingly strong, at the same time, it is essential that it be made as light as possible to reduce the dead-Weight load of the truck to a'reasonable figure.

To this end, in the preferred embodiment'of our invention, we provide a frame composed 'of a plurality of formed sections, preferably composed'of steel, and liberally flanged and recessed to give themthe requisite strength with minimumv weight. here may be steel castingsor steel forgings, as desired. 7

In the preferred embodiment of ourinvention the platform end of the "truck is supported upon a flanged unitary frame member that is recessed to provide a wheel space in which the platform andwheels of the truckare' disposed.

This frame member also carries a plurality of journals in which "transverseplatform' carrying shafts are disposed. The spacebetween the side members of the frame structure isleft open to reduce the weigh-t of the-frame and to provide a space in which are mounted thesteer; ing mechanisms and theplatfdrm; raising and lowering mechanisms. The frame is "shaped to form a' guard "for 'these mechanismsto'therm In our 'copen'cling application-Serial No. 539,--

.atantly "meshed gears controlled by clutches.

The individual frame meme b prevent them: fromctbeing" inju e by Coming intou' contact withn-cbstructions -as the::truckis manipulated; about the premises; 3.

The motor end of theitruck' comprises "a frame that is boltedr to-thep1atform.;.of. the truck" and formed with ant axlei'recessainrwhich is disposedfithe'i driiving axle. f of. :the' truck. Spring.

shackle: bosses' i-project: into this axle aspace to permit "attachihgthesframelto the driving axle;

by. meansz'fof ispring membersa n l p The transverse spacing ofithe main side members of the motor end ofazthesframe is accomplished' by "the attachment of those members to l the platform: frameiaml byya. transverse-frame member which serves I: also- :as: a motor support.

The side members of :the .frame 1 carry: 1 plat-' form supporting brackets upon. .which the. operator's platform: is suitably attached;:. this :plat formlaiding."inholdingthemaim framamembers in' proper relationtransverselyrof the truck...

l The main sideime'mbersitdt: the: motor end:

frame of the 1 vehicle. are flanged and liberally recessed i to provide the requisite strength with.

a minimum Weight: These members also carry;

a' plurality of mountingabcssesi upon'which the motor instrumentaliti'es of: the truck are suitably attached. i

The framethus. formed'isl amply strong and rigid'tto provide faisuitablei supportsxfon the =motor driving devices and loadrcarrying" platformtiof preferred embodiment -or it isishown' byzway of" example. and inwvhichz' {.4 i

' Figureil' is'vaiplaniview hunting the motor end'frame structure of-the truckgz if V .1

Figure; 2" an. end elevational'fview showing the: motor end :of theatruckframe; v 5

Figure 3 is a side elevational viewshowing the motor end frame of the-truck;:-. Y r 1 I Figure 4 is an elevational view of the platform frame; e v

Figure 5 is a planyiewoflthe-.platform frame; and I l: Figure 6 isa crossjsectional view taken substantially along thefline 6 -6 of Figure 5 showing the details'of thefjnounting of the platform frame upon its supportingwheel.

{Referr'ing now to'thedrawings in more detail, particularly to Figures- 1 "and 5, 5 the-"truck frame comprises afplatformcarrying member -indicated generally at 1 and a'- mo'tor frame assembly indicated generally at 1a. The motor frame assembly is supported by driving wheels 3, which wheels are mounted to pivot about vertical axes 4 and connected together by suitable tie rods,

' not shown, to permit them to be turned about istered together and secured by bolts to .firmly,

fasten the two sections of the truck frame to-' gether. The frame assembly 1a is mounted upon the driving axle 142 by suitable springs 10, which are rigidly secured to the driving axle and connected to the frame by means. of shackles. The frame assemblyla contains a. single transverse member 11' for. spacing thetwo' side pieces thereof, which member 11 also serves as amotor mounting plate, as willv presently appear.

As will be seen..in.Figures 1 and 3, the side members 2 and 12of the motor frame assembly 1a consist of single piece members that are upwardlyarched adjacentone end, and contain parallel flanged portions 13 which terminate in the mounting flanges 9 by which the platform frameis connected'thereto. These portions 13 are flanged. to give them the requisite strength, and are provided with inwardly extending bosses 14 which serve as mounting supports for the driving mechanism ofthe truck, as will present- 1y appear. The frame members 2 and 12 extend in an upward and outward direction from the free end of the portions 13, as indicated at 15, and 'terminatein substantially parallel portions 16 located above and outside of the portions 13; Depending from the free end of the portions 16 are generally L-shaped brackets consistingof vertical portions 17 and horizontal portions 18, the latter servingas an operators platform mounting support. Bracet portions 19 extend from the vertical portion 17 to the portions 16, forming. therewith an open space .in

the frame throughwhichicertain of the control devices may be projected. a

The flanges '20, by which :the members .2 and 12 are reinforced and stiffened,"projectinward i ly of the frame and extend from the mounting bosses 9, alongthe bottom edges of the portions 13, 15, 19 and .18, and thence upward and over the upper edge of the platform bracket 18 and along the outeredge of .the vertical por-v tion 17.. This flange '20 terminates in a mounting boss 21 located at the junction of portions 16 and 17 of the frame, upon which boss 21 the transverse frame member 11 is securely at-' tached. The portions 15, 16, 19 and 17 together form a downwardly opening recess 22 in which the driving axle 1'42 and spring assembly 10 are disposed. Shackle bosses23 are formed integral with the flange 20 at the junction of the frame portions 13 and 15 and project into this recess to serve as amounting support for the shackle 24 bywhich one endof the spring assembly is secured to the frameh Similar shackle bosses 25 are formed-integral with theflange 20 at'the junction of the portions 17: and 19 and project into the recess 22to serve as a mounting support for the spring, shackle 26 by which the opposite end of the spring assembly 10 is secured to the frame.

The frame member 12 is provided with an outwardly projecting flat mounting boss 2'7 located at the junction of the portions 15 and 16. This boss serves as a mounting support for. the pump, not shown,by which the platform of the truck is raised and lowered.

The driving motor of the vehicle, not shown, is mounted upon the frame members 2 and 12 by a three-point suspension. As is brought out in the above mentioned copending application, the power take-off end of the motor is securely attached to the transmission casing, which casing is secured to a cross angle that rests upon. and is fixed to the bosses 14 of the frame. The crank end of the'motor is nested in the saddle 28 in the transverse frame member 11, and held therein by the collar 29.

The platform frame, indicated generally at 1, comprises a channel-shaped section 30 disposed with its web 31 in engagement with the axle '1 by which the-frame is supported. The flanges of this channel section 30 flare outwardly at 31 and are joined to parallel arms 32 which termi nate in the mounting bosses 8 by which the frame member 1 is attached to the motor frame assembly of the vehicle. The ends of the arms 32 between the mounting bosses 8 are joined by a flange member 33, the web of which is an extension of the flanges of the arm sections 32. The web of thechannel section 30 is cut away to provide an opening 34, and the webs of the arms 32 and the flange 33 are cut away to provide an opening 35, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

The opposite end of the channel 30 is flared outwardly to form arms 36 which are arcuate in shape and extend downwardly and terminate in integral bosses 37. These bosses are drilled and reamed on centers disposed at right angles to the longitudinal median line of the web 30. A transversely disposed shaft, not shown, is journaled in the bosses 37. This shaft serves as a mounting support for the platform structure, as is broughtout in the above mentioned copending application. The web 38 of the frame is cut away short of the bosses 37 to provide a clear space in which is mounted a bell crank, not shown, by which the transverse platform supporting shaft is rotated.

The arms 32 contain bosses 39 centered upon the web portions of those arms, and drilled and reamed as .at 40. These bosses form journals for receiving transverse shafts, not shown, by which the opposite end of i the platform is mounted upon the frame. The bell cranks, by which these latter shafts are rotated, are mounted in the open space 35 in theframe in the manner detailed in the above mentioned copending application.

As will be seen in Figure -6, the axle member '7 by which the platform frame is supported upon the dirigible Wheels 5, contains a socket into which/the channel member 30 is seated and secured by bolts projected through bosses 42 on the axlemember. ..This axle carries a vertically disposed pivot 43 by which the generally Y- shaped wheel spindle is pivotally connected to the. axle. The flange of the channel 30 is cut away at 44 to provide an opening through which the steeringarm 45 of the spindle is projected into the space betweenthe flanges of the channel 30. Located within this space is a steering rod46 which extends longitudinally of the frame memos above smentionedznopendingaapplicetion;

uresfiswe haveish'own also aar'od flibyrwhicharthe platform raising". and; lo'weringn. mechanism; is actuatedd This lYOd-JiS'rdiSPDSBdfWi-bhih thezzspace ofthe channehmembersw; andi'thusdsepnotectedr from injuries r: resultingirrom :its comings into contact, withiobstruotions 'rasrthertruckais'manipw ulatedoabout .theepremisese.

Withzth arrangement shown, the frame-mem ber .extendsonly slightlyebelow: the 'wheel: cen

ters and the clearance between itiand: theifiooris ample to permititherftruokttowbea manipulated over 1 obstructions" likely: too beencounteredvin the: places in-iwhich' :thetruckis designed-tome used; Theftoptedgerwofqthe frameis belowthe tops of the wheels; andrther-platform; mounting bosses are gdisposed .sufliciently,below =this frame edge to permit;the=-platform. to-be loweredto facilitate 1oading -,,-the-.-same: The, frame 'strucs ture cross braces itselfland-is capable of desist-- ingwstresses placed iuponwit;diagonally.by. reason of; the platform striking an -.obstruction= as the f trucktiszmovedc The framemember 1 containsa vertically dis! posed mounting boss; .;48 :-looated meljacerrt the mounting. boss 8 ibytwhich the frame member 1 islconneeted tobthemotor frametla. I This-{boss 48 serves as a support for: the1-cylindei1',--,not

shown, by which the;platform structureeisraised andlowered;

The. frames. and 1a,. may. conveniently, be

formedb'ycasting oriorgi-ngsand thelbossesand surfaces 'upoa.. mn: the. various instrumem.

talitiesoi l'the tru'cli arefmounted' are preferably machined. flat l. and,.smoo'th; .tomore. 1a proper seating. for securely. fasteningut'hese.devices to the frame.) When. sotconstructedi the .frame has ample strength tb resist. the stresses "placedupon it in service, and" is notundulyneavy.

While we have shown our invention by illus trating a preferred embodiment offit, .we have done .so by" way 'oif'exampie" only;' as there are many modifications and adaptations 'which can be .made by one armed-m the artwithimthe teachings of our invention:

What isiclaimed isf.

1. Ina'truck of the classidescribdfthla combination of a motorframe"comprisinglongitudit nal side. members joinedadjacent *onetend'j. by a transverse member; saidff amehavingbosses for receivingispring shacklesbosses for mounting'fa; motor and I transmission casing? platform arms projecting from the ends 'offsaid' frame adjacent the transverse membea-- "a" mounting flange formed on the other end ofth'e frame,-'and"a platform frame-having a mounting flange-regis tered' with and 'attached to-"saidmotor fame flange and-having flanged side 1 rails containing wheel mounting bossesp'and' platfonn mounting means.

2. In as truckxof the x'class described;1a :fr'arne comprising -:the fcombinationfof: an arched motor and operators platformfsupporting frame-11having :side members/and raz crossimembenc azload. platform supportingrframe'secured:to'csairlsf rst' frame, and-having;.sidewmembers: and. at least one cross memberaand bosses-omsaid :last men tionedrframe for journalingetransverseplatform. supporting/shafts thereupon... H

, 3. In a truck of the 1 class described a frame comprising thecombination of a motor-frame. having side membersjoined .adjacentone end .by.

a, cross member ,motor support bosses; on

'bers and attached framep. said trainer beingzl recessed -toform an axleri'space; shackle ibosses dep'ending' into said axle 'spaceywaf piatformv'frame secured: to said motor frame and having I side members anda crosslmember intermediate the ends thereof, and 1 platform .mounting; bosses "formed Y integral. with saidJatter'frame, r. 5 4,..A frametfor ailift truckficomprising: aplatform frame: supported at one of its-'endsib'ya pair ofxdirigible wheels, a motor frame secured to the rother end'oft: said frame :and comprising. a-.pair: of :members: archeditin side elevationiand containing shackle mounting bosses located near the'open ends :of the members, and a transverse motorlsupporting, member connecting said mem-I' thereto adjacent the upper endsthereoft. l

15:: .Atlifit i truck frameassembly: comprising; .a dirigible :wheel supporting. axle, a. unitary platform frame; resting; on: said. axle. and. bolted thereto,:said frame consisting of-' aflanged member whi'oh is recessed adjacent :said axle togform a" wheel" spacey. journal bosses formed; in said member for. receiving platformxmounting. andoperating means; said memberl'containing' open'-. ings between "said bosses in which said operating meansiare-z disposed, a motor frame boltedto said. frame, said :motor: frame comprising parallel-members each recessed to form 'a driVing axles'space; shacklebosses projected into; said recesses to receive spring: shackles; by; which the motor frame'is mounted upon-spring means can rieduby-ga driving axle, a-transversef member joining -,-said parallel members at, one "end of -said recess'and'adapted to mount: ;oneuend ofea motor on-v said motor; frame; and-bosses--formed integrally-With: said; parallel g members: adjacent the other end ofsaid recess I and projecting inwardly oft the -frame to mount-the other "end of the motorthereom 6" In: a. lift truck, a platform-mounting frame comprising. a cham 1e,1 disposedwith its web lowermost, an axle engaging'saidweb and bolted to-the adjacent flanges of said channel, one endo'f -said channel flaring .outwardlvand terminatingin doiirnwardly curved parallelarms, bosses onsaidarms adapted;to supportashaft with its axis transversely-of andl-at rightangles to the median line .of-said channel, the other end of said-channel also flaring outwardly. and termiating:.in parallelnarms of T -section, a transverse arm of T-section. formedintegral with and joining the 3 free lends of said parallel arms,- said transverse'arm. containing-plane face bosses disposed at right angles .to-the median line of said channel and at equal distances therefrom, eachof said parallel arms containing a plurality ofjournalbosses adapted tocooperate with a corresponding;boss oni-the other parallel arm to support atsl iaftl'with its axis parallel to the axisof "said .first shaft, .said:.bosses being positioned to supportljsaid shafts in. a common horizontal 7.} In a lift truck, a motor mounting frame comprising a of parallel horizontal flanged portionslspaced apart, mounting. plates formed, integral. T with t i said portions, and, extending... inwardlyl fromone-ofthe ends-of the same,- a sec- 0nd .pairF ofv parallel flanged portions disposed depending downwardly from the junctions of said first portions and said connecting means, L shapedfianged portions having vertical legs formed integrally withthe free ends of said second parallel portions and extending downwardlytherefrom andhorizontal legs disposedparallel to each other and extending outwardly from said frame, integral: bracez'portions extending from said'vertical legs to said second parallelportions, shackle bosses depending downwardly from the junctions of said vertical legs and brace portions, a transverse motor support connecting the free ends of said second parallel portions, andintegral' motor mounting bosses extending inwardly from the junctions of .said first portions and connecting'meansh a x 8. In a lift truck, a motor mounting frame comprising apair of parallel horizontal'flanged portions spaced apart, mounting plates-formed integral with said portions and extending inwardly from one of the ends of the same, a second pair of parallel flanged portions disposed aboveand to the outside of onev end of said first pair of portions, connecting means formed inte- 1 grally with said pairs of portions and extending from one end of said second pair of portionsinwardly' and downwardly to the adjacent ends of said first'pair of portions, spring shackle bosses depending downwardly from the junctions of said first portions and said connecting means, L-shaped flanged portions having vertical legs formedintegrally with the free ends of said sec-' ond parallelportions and extending downwardly therefromand horizontal legs disposed parallel 2 to each other and extending outwardly from said frame, integral brace-portions extending from said vertical'legs to said second parallel portions, a pump mounting boss formed in one of said sec ond parallel portions and extending from thejunction of the corresponding brace 'therewith'to the junction of said second portion and'the corresponding connecting means, shackle bosses'de pending downwardly from the junctions of said vertical legs and brace portions, a transverse mo tor support connecting the free ends'bf said'second' parallel portions, and integral motor mounting bosses extending inwardly from the junctions of said first portions and connecting means.

9. A lift truck frame assembly comprising a dirigible wheel supporting axle, a platform =frame mounted on said axle and secured thereto, said platform frame comprising a member which is recessed adjacent said axle to form a wheel space, journal bosses formed in said member for receiving platform mounting and operating means, said member containing an opening between said bosses in which said operating means are disposed, 'a motor frame secured to said plat--' form frame, said motor frame comprising parallel" members forming a driving axle space, shackle bosses projected into said space to re-: ceive springshackles by which the motor frame is mounteduponspring means carried by a driv-- ing axle; a transverse member joining said'parallel members at oneend of said space and adapted to mount one end of a motoronjsaid parallel members, and bosses formed integrally with said parallel members adjacent the other end of said space" to mount the other endf of the motor thereon.

"10. In a lift truck, a platform mounting frame,

an axle engaging said frame and-secured thereto, one end of said frame terminating in a pair of arms, bosses'on'said arms adapted to sup ort a shaft with its axis transversely of and at right angles -tonthe median-line of said frame, the other: :"endr-of said: frame .fiaring outwardly and terminating inparallel arms, a transverse arm formed integral with and joining the ends of saidparallel arms, said transverse arm containing plane facedbossesdisposed at right angles to themedian 'line-of said frame and at equal distance f-rom the median line, each of said parallelv arms: containing a plurality of journal bosses adapted to cooperatewith a corresponding-boss "on the other: parallel arm to support shafts with-theiraxes parallel to the axis of said first shaft. '1

'11:.':Ina platform lift-truck, a platform frame comprising" a pair of side members-parallel to one ano'ther adjacent one endo'f the frame and extending inwardly from the parallel portions and then again' outwardly towards the other end of the frameto'form a narrowed portion intermediatatheends -of the frame, "and an axle having a recessed portion receiving and supporting the 'narrowedportion' of said frame and extending transversely of the frame, said axle. bein'g'fixed against turning movement and having dirigible wheel supports adjacent to and on theoute'r. sides of the side members in the narrowed part of the frame.

l2, Ina platform lift truck ,'a platform frame comprising a pair'of side members which are paralleh-to one another adjacent one end of the frame, said'frame being narrowed adjacent its other end, a pair of wheels for the frame both-located at the outersides of the narrowed part of theframe, an axle supporting said; wheels and having interfitted engagement vvith saicl side members at the narrowed part of the frame 'and rigidly. secured thereto, said side members diverging from the narrowed part to said other end of the frame, andmeans at said'other end of bothside'members for receiving a platform'support. v

[1 3, Atruck frame comprisinga'motor frame and a' platformframe secured'together end to end, themotor frame comprising spaced side member's parallel to" one another at the end that is secured to the platformifram and extending from said parallel portions outward. and upward to elevated parallel portions defining an' axle housi'ng. receiving space, the platform frame comprisingspaced members parallel to one another 'at the end; that is secured to the motor framefand extending inward from said parallel, portions to form a narrowed portion, and extending outward from .said narrowed portion to forma platform supporting portion at the end of the frame.

14. A lifttruck ,frame comprising a motor frame anda platform frame connected together, each,of -saidframeshaving two side members and atleast one cross member, said motor frame being upwardly arched to provide an axle receivingqspace, the platform frame being contracted intermediate the ends thereof, supporting means for the contracted portion of the frame comprising" wheels on theouter sides of the 'contracted portion of the platform frame.

ISLA lift truck frame comprising a motor frame and a platform frame connected together,

each of said frames having two side members and at least one cross member, said motor frame being upwardly arched to provide an axle receiving space, the platform frame being contractd intermediate the ends thereof, supporting means for "the contra'cted portion of the from the motor frame being wider than the contracted part, andplatform supporting means on the side members at said last mentioned end.

16. A lift truck comprising a platform frame and a motor frame, means for rigidly securing said frames together, said platform frame comprising parallel extending side members bent toward each other to form a narrowed portion intermediate the ends of said members and connected by integral webs extending between said side members and defining a central opening therebetween, supporting wheels for said platform frame, an axle for said wheels having a recessed socket portion receiving the narrowed curing said frame in said socket portion of said axle, said central opening having steering means for said wheels disposed therein.

1'7. A platform frame for a lift truck of the class described having a pair of parallel flanged side members, said members being laterally bent said side members intermediate said webs, dirigible wheels supported by said axle and disposed outwardly of said narrowed portion, and a plurality of opposed platform-supporting bosses formed in spaced relation in said side members on opposite sides of said narrowed portion of said frame.

ROBERT J. BURROWS.

ALFRED 0. WILLIAMS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent Noe 1,986,135. January 1, 1935,

ROBERT J. BURROWS, ET AL.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: iage 3, first column, line 61, claim 1, for "bosses" read means; and line 62, same claim, for "means" read bosses; and

that the said Letters Patent shouid be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent ()tfice.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of March, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

